Photonics Summer Placements

Job Description

Summer Placement – Photonics | Leonardo S.p.A.

The Tone:
This is a summer placement at Leonardo S.p.A., located in Edinburgh, UK, with a hybrid working model. Leonardo is a company dedicated to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety through its advanced targeting and electro-optic products. This role offers undergraduate students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience on real-world projects, applying their studies in a practical setting and developing technical skills within a leading engineering business.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Type: Fixed term (13 weeks, June 1, 2027 – August 27, 2027)
• Location: Hybrid GB – Edinburgh
• Team: Engineering Team within the Advanced Targeting line of business, working under the guidance of experienced Optical Engineers.
• Mission: Support the design and development of world and electro-optic products.
• Tech Stack: Zemax Optics Studio, Matlab, LabVIEW, COMSOL

What You’ll Actually Do
• Design: Contribute directly to the development and delivery of Laser/Optical designs, including lens design and optical ray tracing.
• Model: Perform performance modelling, including tolerancing and finite element modelling.
• Integrate: Conduct hands-on lab and integration work with solid-state lasers or fibre optics.
• Verify: Execute verification testing and problem-solving within complex assemblies.
• Problem Solve: Address technical issues throughout the product lifecycle using state-of-the-art methods and tools.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Currently working towards a master’s level degree, typically in Physics, although other physical sciences or engineering disciplines will be considered.
• Experience: Relevant photonics experience, such as laboratory work, previous summer placements, or internships; experience with technical writing and project planning.
• Skills: Strong analytical, modelling, and laboratory skills; evidence of successfully working in a team; enthusiasm for photonics and an interest in skill development.
• Bonus: Experience with modelling tools such as Zemax Optics Studio, Matlab, LabVIEW, and COMSOL (or equivalent).